Best Brand of Shoes

Nurses General Nursing

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i have to get a new pair of shoes to wear to clinicals when they start and i was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions on a good brand?

thanks

Specializes in Med-Surg, Emergency.

I'm surprised noone has mentioned MBTs. They are expensive, but eight years of studying body mechanics and foot movement during walking has paid off. The shoes make you feel like you're walking in sand. They are very comfortable and they work with the muscles in your legs to help tone your lower extremities. :pumpiron: The Danskos are awesome, but they don't allow your foot to flex. You can get away with that for a couple of years and then the plantar fasciaitis will catch up with you. Hope this info helps! :nurse:

Wow, MBT's are expensive! $245. I have been wearing Dansko for 4 years and think they are great.... they aren't perfect however. I agree that they are easy to "fall" off of and they don't have any traction on the ice. I think the answer is to wear a couple of different shoes and alternate. Has anyone tried "Anywears Clogs"? I am so glad that we don't have to wear stark white shoes anymore. Nurses at the hospital I work all wear Navy Blue scrubs and no one says anything about us wearing black or blue shoes. White gets so dirty!

Dansko are the best by far. They are a little expensive , but worth every penny. The shoes make you stand up straight so your spine is aligned and your back does not hurt, neither does your feet, or legs. Also a good pair of support hose or knee highs will help.

Wow, I'm so glad someone started this post - I have also just started the search for the perfect pair of nursing shoes (starting school in two weeks!!!) I have a question though - someone mentioned support hose, and I have seen these on the nursemates website - what exactly do these do? I know, maybe that's a stupid question, but I'm sort of well, a hippie chick who's been working a lot outdoors and lives in Teva's - I've pretty much avoided any sort of formal clothing or pantyhose my entire life -but does this really help your legs feel better while you're standing all day/night? They don't feel suffocating?

Well, just wondering....thanks again for the thread!

My mom, a nurse for 26 years, made me wear TED hose when I got my first job at McDonald's at age 16. She had quite a few varicose veins from being on her feet all of her life, and her one big regret was not wearing support hose. Needless to say, I was the only teenager having hot flashes at the drive-thru. :angryfire They made potty breaks really difficult too. I don't think I would go through that again. I'll take the spider veins!!!!

I will also add that she made me wear SAS shoes too. Yes, I was a very stylish dresser back then! They really made a difference, and they kept me from falling on my butt a time or two. Good shoes and relatively affordable. Although, I'm a big fan of Croc's too. Mom wears them to work, and she has given them her "seal of approval." :lol2:

I really like my crocs- not too thrilled with Birkenstock- they kind of get too wide on me. Clogs I find too hard- I always seem to end up with a back ache. Haven't tried Dansko's yet, but seeing all the great reviews- I think I might give it a shot since it's always good to have more than 1 pair of working shoes!

I paid $110 for Dansko's, and they killed my knees! If you have bad knees, Dansko's offer no type of shock absoprtion - it's like you're walking on wooden blocks. In addition, my legs hurt too. They did help take stress off my lower back, however. In my opinion, if you're standing still a lot, like in the OR, Dankso's would be good. But if you're running around on hard floors, they hurt me. But I know a lot of people love them.

Personally, I LOVE Croc's. They're basically rubber slippers and my knees, back and legs feel great. And, they're only $40 a pair! And, they now have a type of Croc's called "Aspens" which have none of the holes on the top. I do, however, add arch supports in them because I have high arches. And when you buy them, they don't fit like traditional shoes so make sure you try them on. But they're great - and I have 3 pairs of Croc's for the price of one pair of Dansko's. I'll never wear anything else.

Specializes in Neuro ICU.

I am surprised that no one has mentioned Z coils. A lot of the nurses where I work wear them. They have tough springs on the heels and are suppose to virtually take the jamming and pressure off ankles, knees and hips. They swear by them. No knee pain anymore is what I hear themost. They look unusual because of the spring but some styles have an enclosed heel. I am saving up to but a pair. They run 200-300 dollars depending on style. hope this helps, I know you can google them.

good luck!

Seems to me it's much harder for men to find decent looking shoes, especially if you try to get white nursing shoes. They either have hearts, or a fem design. I wear New Balance white walking shoes, but they wear out quicker then I'd like. Cheap enough to get them often though.

Specializes in home health, neuro, palliative care.

I just got a pair of MBT's--HELLA expensive ($250+) but ever so comfortable, and built to last. I have bunion pain bad enough that I need surgery, and the negative heel takes the pressure off my forefoot. I like Earth shoes, too, but the MBT's are much bouncier. I could stand and walk in them all day.

Crocs are great but SLIPPERY! I wouldn't want to wear them anywhere there might be 'wet' floors.

I like Nike walking shoes. They've got an air insole! Dansko's are really nice,too. I had to get used to them,though. They will last you a long time and also look nice for a longer period of time!

Let us know what you choose!

I have been a nurse for 19 years, and have tried them all...Nursemates, Birkenstocks, New Balance, etc... Dansko clogs (closed backs) stand above the rest. They give great support and my feet aren't tired after a long day. They are costly, but in my opinion, well worth it!

On the recommendations in thread, I got a dansko clog. It was a painful experience. Everyone's different I guess. I have a timberland clog that works really well for me.

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